Page 332 - anne-of-green-gables-

thew was coiling hay, and, as luck would have it, Mrs. Lynde
was talking to Marilla at the lane fence.
‘Oh, Matthew,’ exclaimed Anne, ‘I’ve passed and I’m
first—or one of the first! I’m not vain, but I’m thankful.’
‘Well now, I always said it,’ said Matthew, gazing at the
pass list delightedly. ‘I knew you could beat them all easy.’
‘You’ve done pretty well, I must say, Anne,’ said Marilla,
trying to hide her extreme pride in Anne from Mrs. Ra-
chel’s critical eye. But that good soul said heartily:
‘I just guess she has done well, and far be it from me to be
backward in saying it. You’re a credit to your friends, Anne,
that’s what, and we’re all proud of you.’
That night Anne, who had wound up the delightful eve-
ning with a serious little talk with Mrs. Allan at the manse,
knelt sweetly by her open window in a great sheen of moon-
shine and murmured a prayer of gratitude and aspiration
that came straight from her heart. There was in it thankful-
ness for the past and reverent petition for the future; and
when she slept on her white pillow her dreams were as fair
and bright and beautiful as maidenhood might desire.

332 Anne of Green Gables